Davis is full of cute little restaurants, but the cutest may be Café Méditerranée, located in a darling little former house on a side street in the bustling downtown area. Sparklingly clean, the restaurant is divided up into several small, cozy dining area—two are painted a deep garnet, one a soothing moss green. Windows are framed by gauzy drapes, and diners in the front of the restaurant can gaze out onto D Street’s leaf-dappled sidewalk as they munch on their shish kebobs and Greek salads. Café Méditerranée’s food is hearty and flavorful, including a long list of captivating side dishes like the refreshing taboule salad—roughly chopped parsley, diced tomato, white onion, bits of cucumber and soft cracked wheat—and the shockingly pink muhamara, prepared from roasted red peppers, bread crumbs, chopped nuts and pomegranate molasses, which is heavenly when spread on the café’s warm pita bread. Not-to-miss main courses include the chicken shawerma—tender roasted chicken is carefully sliced off a tall, vertical rotisserie and placed on a bed of rice, and patrons have two sides from which to choose (try the succulent eggplant Ikra and the silky, tangy humus). The lamb and beef kebobs are also popular entrees at Café Méditerranée. If your tummy is still grumbly after your Middle Eastern repast, savor the restaurant’s flaky baklava or other pastry selections. This would be a nice dining spot for a first date. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Café Méditerranée has a snug, shrub-encircled dining area outside along the sidewalk to enjoy on warm days.

Reservations: Recommended for large parties

Payment methods: Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Wine and beer

Corkage fee: $5

Hours: Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. (one menu all day)
Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Closed Sunday